Author: Freelancing Buzz

After leaving full-time employment to raise her children in their South African home, Alison Hill spent years as a stay-at-home-mum before deciding it was time to give her life an overhaul. So, she packed up her things – and her life – and moved to Australia to follow her dream of becoming a freelance writer. There was only one problem – she had very little in the way of superannuation. “I had some but not a huge amount as I’d migrated here, leaving my super-equivalent in South Africa, where I didn’t have that much anyway,” she says. “Super isn’t compulsory there, though luckily my employer did pay some. Then I had years out of the workforce raising children too. I had salary sacrificed for a few years though, and that made a big difference. It saves tax and boosts your super balance.” Despite the modest balance, Hill found the freelance lifestyle to be liberating, allowing her to work around her family and have a positive work/life balance. Self-employment: How to negotiate the cash flow and super growth struggle Read more “I love not working in an office and not having to attend endless, pointless meetings,” says Hill. “Not commuting, not having to dress in a certain way, being able to go to gym and swimming when I feel like it. Not to mention being able to follow my own interests and ideas when it comes to writing.” But freelancing does come with its share of difficulties. “Finding a constant flow of work is hard – you become out of touch with new technologies and have to make a real effort to keep up to date, and networking can be difficult and time-consuming. When you feel unmotivated, it’s easy to be distracted and go for a walk or find some vital household job that has to be done today – and probably involves a trip to the shops, a coffee while you’re out, and catching up with your reading afterwards.” Networking can be difficult and time-consuming. When you feel unmotivated, it’s easy to be distracted. As with any small business, cash flow can become tricky for anyone earning their living through freelance work. “It’s really difficult to plan and save, especially as my partner and I are both self-employed. It’s so easy to splash out when you have cash, and then regret it when things get tight. It’s hard to plan things like travel and holidays, because you always worry that work might drop off, or you’ll get so busy that you won’t be able to take time off when you want to.” While Hill jokes there are more fun ways to spend her money, she’s also renewed her focus on superannuation, particularly as she approaches potential retirement. “I try to save as much as I can when I can, and I keep some of it in a term deposit so that I can’t spend it on a whim. I’ve also made some lump sum payments into super when I’ve […]

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Digital marketing agency FunnelKake is seeking a freelance marketing copywriter in the U.S. This is a contract position. The company is seeking a long-term, ongoing relationship. Compensation for this freelance position is $18.00 per hour. From the company: “The Copywriter will provide content based on client needs that is insightful and meets conversion. Topics and keywords will be provided to the writer, so we are looking for a copywriter who will elaborate on established messaging. We are looking for a sharp, hard working, problem solver who is self-motivated, and loves to help SMBs succeed.” Qualifications (from work-at-home job listing): Skills: Writing for various social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) Experience conducting keyword research on a subject Long-form content writing (Blogs, Articles, Listicles) Experience producing engaging and factual content Email Newsletter and Digest writing Strong advertising copy writing skills Strong English written communication skills Experience Social Media: 2 years (Preferred) Copy writing: 3 years (Preferred) Experience with the Agency/Freelancer model (Preferred) Scheduling for this freelance marketing copywriter position is flexible. The schedule is Monday to Friday. If interested in learning more about this freelance position and applying, please see the original work at home employment listing . Good luck! This home-based job not right for you? If you love to correct people’s grammar, you should check out my earlier post: Start Your Own Freelance Proofreading Home Business!

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This is an extremely busy time of the year for Swoop regarding freelance contracts & we’re after Frontend Web Developers of all experience levels with the following experience & attributes… – Strong attention to detail – A broad variety of relevant work examples – Working with supplied designs & psd assets – Exp. with eDM, website & banner design – Advanced HTML & CSS – Bonus exp. in WordPress, HTML5, Laravel & PHP – Competent across varied subject matter – Fast & accurate work – Friendly & professional demeanour – Strong verbal & written communication – Unrestricted Australian work rights – A professional CV & portfolio If you’ve got most of this covered, please APPLY NOW! Contact Name: Jasmin Contact Email: knock@theswoopinn.com

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According to Nasdaq , 43% of all U.S. workers will be freelancers by 2020. This applies worldwide and in most industries, including software development. That’s why you can find a lot of blog posts on how to jump from a full-time programmer job into freelance developing. But what if you don’t get as much pleasure and profit from running your own freelance business as you used to? Opting for a full-time development job can be the solution in this case, though this might sound a bit challenging. However, the transition from freelance programming to a full-time development position isn’t as difficult as you might think. You’ll be in a new environment and will get to meet new people, but the nature of your work will mostly stay the same. What Does it Take to Transition to a Full-Time Programmer Job? In order to acclimate to your surroundings and find success in your new position, there are some things you need to keep in mind. These are details a freelance programmer might never need to care about, but as a full-time programmer, you most certainly will. So, let’s get started! Set Your Alarm Early Whereas freelancers set their own schedules, full-time programmers need to get their work done between certain hours. The difference can be a little jarring, but once you get used to it, finding your work-life balance can be much easier. Set your alarm earlier than you need to. This will make sure that you don’t oversleep because you forgot that you have somewhere to be. It will also give you time to fit in your favorite activities in the morning. You’ll feel less like a corporate slave if you’ve already had breakfast, done yoga, and enjoyed a morning walk with your dog. It’s also a good idea to show up to work 10 minutes early. If you run late, you’ll actually arrive on time. Set your standards high early in your career; you can relax once you understand the company culture. Learn the Company’s Shorthand If you’ve been hired as a full-time programmer, there’s a good chance you are joining a pre-existing team. Every team has their own shorthand for project comments and their own way of naming files. Learn these words and phrases as quickly as possible. Your projects will quickly fit in with everyone else’s, and you won’t waste time asking the same question repeatedly. To save yourself some trouble, write down each shorthand term as soon as you see it for the first time. Keep these notes by your desk until you’re sure you know the local language. Leave Extra Comments On the subject of notes and comments, leave as many in your programs as possible. Otherwise, your code might be completely indecipherable to an outsider, slowing down everyone’s work. Hopefully, the importance of habitual comments was drilled into you during your first computer science class. But if you are one of those developers who like to limit the number of comments, pay attention […]

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Caption Mark Busch – mbusch@shawmedia.com The DeKalb Daily Chronicle sports department is looking for freelance sports writers to help in coverage of local athletics with a focus on the high school level. Interested candidates should have a passion for writing and for sports, as well as reliable transportation. Candidates should also have a firm grasp of grammar and writing skills. If interested, please contact sports editor Eddie Carifio at ecarifio@shawmedia.com or at 815-756-4841, extension 2224.

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Self-employment is a rising trend in the global workforce . fxxu / Pixabay More and more people are choosing to become their own bosses either because they want increased flexibility or because they firmly believe it is the best option for their skills and abilities. Being an solopreneur does have its perks , but the limited income can stop you from reaching your financial goals — particularly in the beginning. [REITs] Q2 hedge fund letters, conference, scoops etc When you are just starting out, you will most likely not have a steady paycheck . How are you supposed to handle the ebbs and flows of this type of income? Simple. You learn how to invoice. If you carefully and wisely manage to invoice, your business will run much more smoothly. These are our tips for getting started with better invoicing. Do A Little Bit Of Research Make sure to research your clients before sending out invoices. Will the person pay on time? Will they pay at all? These are questions that require immediate answers . Social media is a great place to find more about the people you are doing work for. Check out your clients’ social media or Glassdoor profiles. It is also a good idea to go to forums and see if past freelancers or employers have anything bad to say. Carrying out this kind of background check is very useful, as you can find out a lot about the company you are doing business with. Use Good Invoicing Templates It takes only a few seconds to download invoice templates and put them to good use. You can create professional -looking invoices. This means that you can show your brand and use well-defined fields that please the eye. When it comes down to invoice templates, all you have to do is to download the Excel or Word document, fill it in, and, last but not least, email it out. Clients will easily remember you if you use the same template every time. However, if you are looking to step up your game, use a live email template. When the email lands in your clients’ inboxes, it will make a big impression. Do Not Forget Important Details Certain details have to be included in a business invoice. The most important ones are: Your Company’s Info Date Services and Charges Due Date Nothing says ‘unprofessional’ like the client having to send back an invoice full of errors or lacking complete information . If you have these important details included in the invoice, you do not have to worry about legal issues. This will make you look like a true professional and will boost your freelancer brand. Specify What Methods of Payment Are Acceptable People need to know what payment options they have. If you do not mention the terms of the transaction, it will take longer for you to get your money. If you don’t specify payment conditions, like your preferred payment method , you’re opening yourself up to […]

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Position: Freelance Traffic Manager Location: Manhattan Status: Freelance Estimated Duration: Ongoing Starts: Within a Couple Weeks Rate: DOE Job Description: Our well known client in the professional services space is looking for a Traffic Manager to join their team. Responsibilities of the Traffic Manager: – Manages the intake and workflow of design projects for a high volume, dynamic design team with multiple skillsets and diverse project requirements. – Conducts scope analysis and confirmation for all projects on projects that come in through the clients workflow tool, Workfront. – Pulls in appropriate Creative resources and works with assigned Creative resource to finalize scope. – Educates stakeholders on how much time is required to complete various types of jobs and all the steps necessary to process a job – Prioritizes all requests and estimates dates and resource availability. – Negotiates timelines and resources when applicable with stakeholders. – Collaborates with other Traffic Managers to meet project requirements Requirements for the Traffic Manager: – Minimum of 4 years experience. Design agency/studio, marketing and sales or related role in corporate /professional services preferred. – Proven ability to provide the supporting resources which lead to successful design solutions. – Experience in maintaining and implementing brand guidelines. – Experience in project management and planning. Proven ability to work well with individuals at all levels within an organization. – Outstanding attention to detail. – Knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite. (PC platform) – Strong computer skills in PowerPoint, MS Word, and Excel and Google for Work equivalents. – Experience with a Marketing Workflow/PM tools. – Strong Workfront knowledge a plus. If you feel you are qualified for this position please send your resume (and samples if applicable) to: View additional job opportunities at http://www.creativecircle.com Creative Circle is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Creative Circle will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you need a reasonable accommodation in the application process, please contact your Recruiter (the person you’ll be interviewing with) or a member of our Human Resources team to make arrangements.

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Credit Card for Freelancers in the Philippines | Moneymax “How can I apply for a credit card if I’m working as a freelancer?” For anyone who has started a work-from-home career, concerns like getting a credit card for freelancers always come to mind. Credit cards are useful for self-employed Filipinos just as they are for employees. Having a plastic card allows freelancers to verify PayPal account for receiving payments online. It can be used to buy software programs, web hosting services, and other work tools. Of course, it comes in handy when shopping online, paying bills, or booking flights. While a Visa/Mastercard debit card or prepaid card can get those things done, it’s better to use a credit card for certain transactions. For example, you can pay for big purchases like laptops or appliances in monthly installments with no interest. More importantly, a credit card can be a life-saver during a financial emergency when you have no access to cash. Unfortunately, it’s challenging to get a credit card for freelancers in the Philippines. To qualify for a credit card, you have to own a registered business with a profitable operation for at least one to two years. To prove that, you’re required to submit an income tax return (ITR), business registration papers, and financial statements. Beginning freelancers typically don’t have these documents on hand. But don’t lose hope—you can still get a credit card even if you don’t have stable employment. Here are different ways for Filipino freelancers to get approved for a credit card. Apply for a Secured Credit Card How to Get Credit Card for Freelancers – Apply for a Secured Credit Card As a freelancer, you have a higher chance of getting approved for a secured credit card than a regular one. How Secured Credit Cards Work Although they have the same features with regular cards, secured credit cards have a different set of requirements. To get a secured card, you need to open a savings, checking, or time deposit account with a bank and deposit a certain amount, which the bank will place on hold as your deposit guarantee (also called hold-out deposit). This means you’re not allowed to withdraw your money until you cancel your card and have fully settled your credit card account balance. Also, in case you fail to pay your credit card debt, the bank can recover the money by taking your hold-out deposit. Your deposit will also be the basis for your credit card limit, which is typically 80% to 90% of the hold-out amount. For example, if your hold-out deposit is PHP 10,000, your credit limit will be PHP 8,000 to PHP 9,000, depending on the bank. Banks allow secured credit cardholders to increase their credit limit by depositing an additional amount into their account and requesting the amount to be placed on hold. Because the hold-out deposit serves as collateral, secured credit cards are generally 100% approved (except for cases like an applicant having a delinquent bank account). […]

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As a freelance writer, I have a good idea of how much money I’ll bring in every month — but my estimate is rarely perfect. Sometimes I don’t get as many assignments as I had hoped for, and sometimes clients are slow to pay invoices. There are also months where I earn much more than I had expected, and my bank account is temporarily flush with cash. I’ve cataloged assignments completed and money earned publicly, through monthly income reports at The Write Life . But what I don’t often dig into is how I budget as a freelancer. I’ve been freelancing since 2012, so I know a lot about how to handle the irregular cash flow that comes with the freelance life. Instead of getting a paycheck every two weeks, some clients pay every month, some clients pay every week and some clients pay 30 days after an article is published — which can be three or four months from the date of article submission! Having nightmares about creating a budget? We’ve got your back! Get great tips delivered straight to your inbox. How to Budget as a Freelancer Here are the budgeting tips I’ve developed to help me survive life as a freelance writer. 1. Know Your Monthly Overhead Cost The most important thing you can do as a freelancer — or as any person with an irregular income — is to know your monthly personal overhead cost. This is the money it takes to pay your rent, pay your bills and buy essential items like food and medication. If you have other essential costs such as car payments or daycare, include them in your overhead as well. Leave out money for clothes, entertainment and other non-essentials. My monthly overhead cost is $1,500. This is the amount of money it takes for me to get from one month to the next and pay the bills, keep a roof over my head and put food on the table . If you have irregular income, you must always bring in more than your monthly overhead cost. Every single month, even the lean ones. If you’re not bringing in more than your monthly overhead, you need to focus on earning more money — and luckily you’re on the right site for that! 2. Know When You Usually Get Paid Now that you know your monthly overhead cost, it’s time to figure out when you usually get paid. If you’ve been working with freelance clients for a while, you’ve probably figured out their payment patterns. I have one client who pays me every week, and the rest of my clients tend to pay around the 15th of the month or the end of the month. Even though the amounts in these payments vary, I can expect a little bit of money to come in every week and two big chunks of money to arrive around the 15th and the 30th. Knowing when you usually get paid helps you plan how to stretch […]

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The face of work is changing as we speak. Driverless cars are poised to replace gig drivers. Drones are taking over delivery jobs. And a huge amount of manual labor tasks are said to be replaced by intelligent automation. Freelancers, especially the knowledge workers, may think that these titanic changes will not have much impact on their employability prospects. However, data indicates otherwise. Per Upwork Quarterly Skills Index , released last year, 70% of the fastest-growing freelance skills were completely new to the index. The World Economic Forum report also identified that in many global markets and industries, the most in-demand jobs and specialties did not exist ten or even five years ago. They also expect the pace of change to accelerate even further. If you want to remain employable in the long-term and get a steady stream of jobs , you should not get too comfortable with what you have now. Below are several actionable strategies that will help you ensure that your freelance skillset is up-to-date and will remain so in the future. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE Keep tabs on the emerging skills and tech tools Upwork, LinkedIn, Glassdoor and several other organizations publish the most in-demand skills and jobs indexes on an annual basis. Be sure to check those out. Acknowledging the change and remaining in-the-know is the first step towards ensuring that your career is moving in the right direction. Lifelong learning is a must The future of work will not be about degrees. It will increasingly become about the skills you have. And few (if any schools) can provide you with a comprehensive skill set that will withstand the impact of new tech disruptions on your career field. Your learning process should no longer be limited to some selected period of your life. It must become an ongoing process. In fact, freelancers are nearly twice as likely to re-skill over the course of their career, when compared to traditional employers. And that is a major advantage for sure. Cultivating the habit of lifelong learning is not that challenging at all. There’s an abundance of free and paid e-learning options available for pretty much any freelance niche: Coursera , Suffolk University and many others . But still, you’ll need to make some targeted effort to embrace the learning process and make that habit stick. Below are some helpful tips for that: Be committed: Block off specific times on your calendar and dedicate those to self-development. Create a learning plan and stick to it. And if you are having a hard time, find an accountability partner of a mentor that will give you that much-needed kick to keep going. Organize your learning: Plan a suitable method for storing your learning materials, notes and aids. Create summaries of what you have learned and put the newly acquired skills into practice. Repeat: Go through the studied information more than once as the process of repeating helps transfer knowledge from short-term to long-term memory. You may no longer need […]

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